Brenda Lawrence

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Madam Chair, unnecessary delays only serve one purpose, and that is to enable antiunion employers to have more time to expose employees to their campaign against the union. I have so much respect for my colleague on the other side, but to say that we should not protect our workers because of a union boss? They are not bosses. They are elected by the membership. We should be promoting employee free choice by ensuring that their vote is untainted by an employer delay or interference. Once the NLRB determines that an election should go forward, it should happen as soon as possible. I urge a ``yes'' vote on my amendment and this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Madam Chair, I want to be clear that we should be promoting employee free choice. This is not about the election process. When we are standing here on the floor, we are talking about the American people and their rights. I stand here representing the city of Detroit, the city that put the country on wheels by strong union workers. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment and a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2382. This legislation is a positive first step--and I emphasize first step-- to address a significantly more complex issue at hand: the financial solvency crisis plaguing the United States Postal Service. After a 30-year career in the Postal Service--and I think I am the only member of Congress who is actually a letter carrier--I come to Congress with the intention of helping USPS return to a strong financial standing through legislative reform. While decreased mail volume plays a role, there are other actions Congress must take to provide the Postal Service with the flexibility needed to reverse and mend the downward financial trend. For the last few years, I have worked with several colleagues on the Oversight Committee, including Representatives Connolly, Lynch, Meadows, and the late, amazing Chairman Elijah Cummings, to introduce comprehensive postal reform. As the House stands poised to pass H.R. 2382, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the committee to introduce a comprehensive postal reform package that will provide the Postal Service with the reform needed to help lessen the financial battle. I want to thank Chairwoman Maloney for her leadership on this issue, and I look forward to the continued work to build the Postal Service Fairness Act. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I will start by thanking the leadership on the Committee on Oversight and Reform for marking up this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3976, which would rename a post office in my hometown of Detroit after the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. As was mentioned earlier, she was an 18 Grammy Award winner; a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She performed at three inaugural events for Presidents Carter, Clinton, and Barack Obama. She was a woman who was respected on both sides of the aisle where President Bush issued her the Medal of Freedom. ``A Natural Woman'' singer, she was more than just a music icon. She was a civil rights advocate who used her platform and voice to advocate for racial equality. I knew her personally and she would talk to me about being a child and having Martin Luther King in her home with her dad discussing policies and what they were going to do to fight together for racial equality. In 1967, Aretha released ``Respect,'' which became a rally cry for racial and gender political movements of the time. Although people remember Aretha Franklin as the ``Queen of Soul'' she was more than just a vocalist. Aretha used her platform to become a beacon of hope for people during the civil rights movement and her voice served as a perfect guiding light. In 1967, she toured with Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier to raise money for Dr. Martin Luther King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The organization was in a dire financial state and would soon become the Poor People's Campaign. In 1970, few people knew Aretha Franklin posted bond for Angela Davis, a prominent activist who was jailed on trumped-up charges. In 1970, a Jet magazine article quoted Aretha Franklin: ``Black people will be free. I have been locked up for disturbing the peace in Detroit and I know you got to disturb the peace when you can't get no peace. Jail is hell to be in. I'm going to see her free if there is any justice in our courts . . . because she's a Black woman and she wants freedom for Black people.'' In her 1999 autobiography, ``Aretha: From These Roots'' described the impact Detroit had on her childhood and career. ``Detroiters realize how deeply I appreciate the city in which I was raised. And it is in Detroit that I continue to cultivate my career; it is to Detroit that I direct most of my charitable activities; and it is from Detroit that I receive much love and support, which I reciprocate.'' No matter how famous she became worldwide, Aretha always gave back to the city she grew up in. She frequently hosted community events for congregants in her father's church, and she donated to organizations like Save the Children and Easterseals and supported local food banks across Detroit. In the year after her passing, an outpouring of support has led to the renaming of Detroit monuments in her honor--and I am so proud and happy to stand here today, personally knowing her, traveling with her on her tours--to include a post office near her home in Detroit to the list of ways to commemorate this amazing woman. While there is little that can truly demonstrate our appreciation for Aretha Franklin, I hope her family knows how proud and thankful we all are for her lifelong support. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to give a little support R-E-S-P-E- C-T, to this legislation.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4794) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8320 13th Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, as the ``Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini Post Office Building''.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 4794, to designate the facilities of the United States Postal Service located at 8320 13th Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, as the Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini Post Office. I want to thank Representative Max Rose, a fellow Member, for introducing this bill honoring, literally, a saint. In November of 1880, Mother Cabrini, along with six other women, took religious vows and founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The purpose of the missionary was to care and educate orphans. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rose).

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4981) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2505 Derita Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the ``Julius L. Chambers Civil Rights Memorial Post Office''.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this matter.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 4981 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2505 Derita Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the Julius L. Chambers Civil Rights Memorial Post Office. I thank Representative Alma Adams for introducing this bill to honor Julius Chambers, a civil rights icon. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams).

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to urge the passage of H.R. 4981. Mr. Speaker, this is such a significant opportunity for us in Congress to be able to recognize lifelong accomplishments that are above the norm, people who give their lives so that their names will never be forgotten. It is with great honor that we recognize a queen, a saint, and now a civil rights leader, and I urge the passage of H.R. 4981. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5037) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3703 North Main Street in Farmville, North Carolina, as the ``Walter B. Jones, Jr. Post Office''.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on this measure.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 5037 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3703 North Main Street in Farmville, North Carolina, as the Walter B. Jones, Jr. Post Office. I thank Representative Murphy for introducing this measure honoring our former colleague. As you know, Walter Jones was born in North Carolina and was a longtime resident of Farmville. He later graduated from Atlantic Christian College and served 4 years in the National Guard. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price).

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield), my colleague.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today just always in awe of the history of this House and those who have served, knowing personally the sacrifices and the skill set that is needed to be successful. To be able to honor one of our own is something that I support. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 5037, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3317) to permit the Scipio A. Jones Post Office in Little Rock, Arkansas, to accept and display a portrait of Scipio A. Jones, and for other purposes.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this matter.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 3317, to permit the Scipio A. Jones Post Office in Little Rock, Arkansas, to accept and display a portrait of Scipio A. Jones. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative French Hill for introducing the measure to honor this civil rights icon. Scipio Jones was born in 1863 near Tulip, Arkansas. He would later argue two civil rights cases before the Arkansas Supreme Court. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the passage of H.R. 3317, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4279) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 445 Main Street in Laceyville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Melinda Gene Piccotti Post Office''.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 4279, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 445 Main Street in Laceyville, Pennsylvania, as the Melinda Gene Piccotti Post Office. I thank Fred Keller, a distinguished member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, for this measure to honor a distinguished military veteran. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 47th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, that ultimately gave women the right to control their own reproductive health. Today, that choice is under attack as the current administration and several States have enacted bans to restrict a woman's right to control her own body. This year proves to be a pivotal year for access to abortion. Next month, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case of June Medical Services v. Gee. As co-chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, I firmly believe that every woman has the right to decide when, how, if, and with whom to begin or expand her family. That is why we must push back against those who wish to take away this legal right. The public is overwhelmingly in favor of protecting Row v. Wade-- nearly 8 in 10 Americans. In the face of increased attacks on women's right to choose, I continue to fight for the reproductive healthcare that all women deserve.